Standards for Excellence Institute

Bring the Standards To Your Area

The Standards for Excellence® Institute offers a number of flexible options for bringing the Standards for Excellence® to the nonprofits you serve. Find out how to:

Become a Replication Partner

Host a Training Program

Provide Organizational Assessments and Customized Technical Assistance Plans

Become a Standards for Excellence® Licensed Consultant

Become a Standards for Excellence® Institute Member

Become a Replication Partner

The Institute invites national, state, and local level nonprofit intermediaries to apply to become a Replication Partner and offer the Standards program to the nonprofits you serve. Replication provides a unique opportunity for your organization to launch a fully developed, comprehensive program of nonprofit capacity building without spending years in program development.

Replication Partners are licensed to use all Standards program materials, including the Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector (Standards Codebook), educational resource packages and training curricula, certification program materials and public relations and public education information in a geographically defined area or for a specific group of affiliates, chapters, or related organizations.

Replication Partners may elect to (a) develop and offer a customized, privately labeled version of the Standards program, (b) offer a privately labeled version of the national Standards program, or (c) offer the national version of the Standards program without private labeling. Depending on the option selected, the Licensing and consulting fees range from $12,000 to $30,000 in the first year, $8,250 to $25,000 in the second year, and $5,000 to $12,000 thereafter.

Opportunities are also available for authorized trainers, consultants, resellers and training program co-sponsors. For additional information contact Peter Berns at the Standards for Excellence® Institute, or call Peter at 410-727-6367 ext 16.

Some of the options for bringing the Standards for Excellence® program to a community near you include:

Replication Partner: Customized version of Standards program

Works under a licensing agreement to provide the Standards for Excellence® program to a defined group of nonprofits or given geographic area;
Offers customized version of Standards code;
Offers customized version of Standards training program, educational resources;
Option to offer Standards certification program;
Offers public education Standards programming; and
Participation in Standards replication partner e-Community.

Nonprofits within replication partner's jurisdiction access Standards for Excellence® programs or services through the replication partner only. Those that approach the Standards for Excellence® Institute are directed to the replication partner.

Replication Partner: State branded national version of program

Works under a licensing agreement to provide the Standards for Excellence program to a defined group of nonprofits or given geographic area;
Adds custom covers to national version of Standards code;
Offers national version of written educational materials to nonprofits in its jurisdiction. Partner encouraged to add an identification sticker or other device to show the materials are provided by the partner; and
Option to offer national version of certification program (for additional fee).
Participation in Standards replication partner e-Community.

Nonprofits within jurisdiction access Standards for Excellence programs or services primarily through the replication partner. Those that approach the Standards for Excellence Institute are encouraged but not required to access Standards services through Standards for Excellence partners.

Replication Partner: National version of Standards program

Works under a licensing agreement to provide the Standards for Excellence program to a defined group of nonprofits or defined geographic area;
Offers national version of Standards code;
Offers national version of Standards training program, educational resources;
Training programs may be offered by replication partner or through Standards for Excellence authorized trainers;
Offers public education Standards programming; and
Participation in Standards replication partner e-Community.

Nonprofits within jurisdiction access Standards for Excellence programs or services through the replication partner.

Authorized Service Partners: Serve as a distributor of national version of Standards for Excellence materials

Discount on bulk purchases of national version of Standards for Excellence code;
Discounts offered to nonprofits in jurisdiction who wish to become members of the Standards for Excellence Institute;
Serve as a host for Standards training program; and/or
Serve as local host for Standards for Excellence Institute training program.

For information on the costs of licensing fees for the replication options offered, please contact Peter Berns at pberns@standardsforexcellenceinstitute.org.

Host a Training Program
The Standards for Excellence Institute invites grantmakers and individual nonprofits to host a Standards for Excellence training program for the nonprofits you serve.

Offer your community a chance to learn about the Standards program by hosting the “Introduction to the Standards for Excellence” workshop
Help nonprofits in your region to implement the Standards for Excellence by hosting the multi-day, comprehensive “Standards for Excellence Clinic Series.”

Hosted training programs are offered under both fixed-fee and fee-sharing arrangements.

Provide Organizational Assessments and Customized Technical Assistance Plans

Grantmakers may also make use of the Standards for Excellence as a tool for assessing potential grantees as well as providing technical assistance support for existing grantees. A Standards for Excellence based organizational assessment, coupled with customized training and consulting services, can improve the capacity of grantees to serve the community.

Become a Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant
The Standards for Excellence Institute offers a program to establish a network of Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultants. The individuals are licensed to use the Standards for Excellence program training curricula and educational nonprofits with their nonprofit clients. Licensed consultants are listed on the Standards for Excellence Institute website.

To become a Licensed Consultant, individuals must

Serve nonprofits in a region that is not served by a Replication Partner;
Enroll and maintain membership in the Standards for Excellence Institute;
Complete an application and screening process, including review of your experience;
Attend a multi-day Licensed Consultant session at our headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland (fees for the training program and travel/lodging costs additional);
Commit to reporting and evaluation requirements;
Purchase copies of the Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector through the Institute (bulk rates may apply);
Submit periodic reports on Standards related training and consulting engagements, including client contact information for consulting engagements; and
Maintain acceptable program evaluation ratings.

Click here for more information on the Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant program>>

Become a Standards for Excellence Institute Member

The Institute invites operating nonprofits, grant makers, for profit organizations and individuals (including sole practitioners and students) to become members of the Standards for Excellence Institute. The benefits of membership include:

isted as a member on the Standards for Excellence Institute website;

Purchase of Standards Codes at membership rates, with discounts for bulk orders;
Access to download Standards educational resource packets with permission to make additional copies (varies for membership type);
Technical assistance on how to implement the standards via nationwide toll free Institute member line;
Access to information from the Institute’s comprehensive nonprofit management library;
Option to participate in the Standards Institute voluntary certification program at the member application rates;
Discounts on Standards for Excellence training programs customized to your organization; and
Participation in online forum with other members interested in using the Standards program to strengthen their organizations.

Next Steps
To pursue any of these opportunities, please contact the Standards for Excellence Institute:

Amy Coates Madsen, Institute Director
acmadsen@standardsforexcellenceinstitute.org
Peter V. Berns, Chief Executive Officer
pberns@standardsforexcellenceinstitute.org